Editor: As I re-read the articles in The St. Augustine Record on April 12th about a few Lincolnville residents response to the Riberia Point project, which could include a children’s museum, walking trail, etc., I am saddened. On the one hand, I understand that some in the community do not want to add any noise and congestion to their neighborhood. I get that. I really do.

But, on the other hand, it’s distressing to deny children the opportunity to experience a museum that is affordable and accessible to all children in Lincolnville, St. Augustine, St. Johns County and beyond. The debate about building on Riberia Point seems to have quickly escalated to arguing against a children’s museum in our city, whereever the location.

Have we asked the kids in our community what a children’s museum might mean to them? The museum would be their place to explore, learn and play, which after al, is the work of most children I know. If as children we learn to play together, then as adults we have a better chance of coexisting and working out our differences together through communication and respect. The later of these seems to be missing from those speaking out against the museum.

To this end, I wholeheartedly agree with folks of Lincolnville in that we may not NEED another restaurant or aquarium. However, the children NEED their own special place. Again, what do our children want?